Mendoza River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mendoza River |
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Mendoza River
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 Location of mouth
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| Country | Argentina |
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| River mouth | 32°07′41″S 68°12′20″W / 32.1281°S 68.2056°W |
The Mendoza River is a very important river in the Mendoza province of Argentina. It begins high up in the Andes mountains. This river is formed when three smaller rivers join together. These are the Vacas, Cuevas, and Tupungato rivers. The Tupungato River is the biggest of these three.
River's Journey
The Mendoza River starts its journey in a wide, U-shaped valley. This valley was carved out by ancient glaciers. It is about 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level. The river flows down from the mountains.
It passes through a town called Uspallata. Then, it goes through the Precordillera, which is a mountain range in front of the main Andes. It flows through the beautiful Potrerillos Valley. After that, it enters the narrow Cacheuta Canyon.
Finally, the river reaches the flat plains. It makes a big curve and turns towards the northeast. The Mendoza River eventually flows into an area of wetlands called the Bañados de Guanacache. These wetlands connect to the San Juan River. Both are part of a larger river system called the Desaguadero River.
Water and Uses
The Mendoza River is vital for the dry Mendoza province. It provides water for the main "oasis" in the region. An oasis is an area where water makes life possible in a desert-like place. The river's average flow is about 50 cubic meters (1,765 cubic feet) of water per second.
Fun Activities
The river flows through Potrerillos, which is about 1,350 meters (4,400 feet) above sea level. In this area, the river has exciting rapids. These rapids are perfect for rafting, especially during the summer. The rapids here are rated as level III–IV on the International Scale of River Difficulty. This means they are quite challenging and fun!
Potrerillos Dam
In Potrerillos, the river is also held back by a large dam. This dam creates a big lake behind it. The water from this reservoir is used to power a hydroelectric power station. This station turns the force of the water into electricity for people to use.
The Cacheuta Spa and the Potrerillos Dam are popular places for tourists to visit along the river.
Farming and Wine
The Mendoza River is very important for farming. It provides water to irrigate (water) many vineyards. These vineyards are located in the Maipú and Luján de Cuyo areas. These areas are in the piedmont, which is the land at the foot of the mountains.
This region is famous for its wine. About 17 percent of all the vineyards in Mendoza are found here. There are also around 360 wineries in this area. Wineries are places where grapes are turned into wine.
See also
In Spanish: Río Mendoza para niños
